Olympic Gold Medalist Quinn Hughes Delivers Patriotic Message in Post-Victory Interview
Fresh from securing Olympic gold and witnessing his brother Jack score the winning goal against Canada, USA hockey star Quinn Hughes had multiple reasons to celebrate on Sunday night. The jubilant 26-year-old, appearing slightly worse for wear, joined NBC's Mike Tirico alongside victorious teammates Dylan Larkin, brother Jack Hughes, and USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck for a memorable post-game interview.
A Team Effort On and Off the Ice
During the live broadcast, it was evident that Hellebuyck and Jack Hughes were doing their utmost to keep Quinn upright and steady as he addressed Tirico. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Quinn seized the moment to convey a deeply patriotic message back to the United States. "It's just so special and I want to thank our troops for allowing us to play this game," he stated emphatically.
Hughes spoke with a beer in hand, while his brother Jack held the microphone for him. The interview was briefly interrupted by Dylan Larkin cheering enthusiastically in the background, also holding a beverage, before Quinn continued his tribute. "Thank our troops for allowing us to play this game and thank all the support back home," he added. "Very special to be a part of this group and it's awesome. We are gold medal."
Brotherly Bond and National Pride
Quinn then passed the microphone to teammate Larkin, saying, "Shoutout Larks." Larkin chuckled before exclaiming, "I gotta say hi to Mike Tirico! Mikey! Let's go, baby! Number One!" This display of camaraderie and joy highlighted the tight-knit nature of the team.
Quinn's heartfelt acknowledgment of US troops resonated deeply with viewers. One fan shared the clip on social media, writing, "The first thing black out Quinn Hughes thinks of doing on live tv is thanking the troops for allowing him to play hockey. We are back. America pride is back." Another commented, "Quinn Hughes thanking the troops is 10/10."
His brother Jack echoed similar sentiments of national pride shortly after scoring the decisive goal in overtime. Overcome with emotion, Jack declared, "This is all about our country right now. This is all about our country. I love the USA. I love my teammates… I'm so proud to be an American today." He continued, "That's a great Canadian team, but we're USA, we're so proud to be Americans, tonight was all for the country."
Recognition from Political Figures and Team Highlights
The interview clip even caught the attention of Vice President JD Vance, who praised Hughes for his message and resilience, noting that Quinn had lost teeth during the intense showdown with Canada. Vance posted on social media, "Heart full of pride for his country and a few front teeth gone missing. That's American hockey right there. Congratulations to Jack and everyone on Team USA for bringing home the gold."
Elsewhere in the interview, Jack Hughes took a moment to commend goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who made 41 saves out of 42 shots against Canada in Milan. In his post-game remarks, Jack emphasized, "Connor Hellebuyck, best player in the world tonight. It's about the team, it's about representing the USA, it's about all the people that helped us get here. Just so proud."
The USA's 2-1 overtime victory over Canada to claim the gold medal in Milan marked a historic moment for American hockey, with the Hughes brothers at the forefront of the celebration. Their displays of patriotism and teamwork have solidified their status as national heroes, inspiring fans across the country.
